President Paul Kagame has called for employers who fail to pay workers or delay their wages to be held accountable, saying people should not be allowed to benefit from another person’s labour without paying for it.
Kagame made the remarks on August 24, 2026, during a press conference in Kigali, while responding to concerns over workers in private companies who complete their duties but face delayed or unpaid wages.
The President said the issue should be addressed through stronger enforcement of labour regulations and accountability for employers who fail to honour their obligations.
“That issue is understandable; it will be resolved in one way or another,” Kagame said.
The remarks come amid wider concerns over workers’ pay and the effectiveness of mechanisms for protecting employees in the private sector.
While public-sector employees operate under established employment regulations, some workers in private companies reportedly face difficulties recovering wages after completing their work.
Kagame said the responsibility should not be placed solely on workers, arguing that employers who fail to pay should also face consequences.
The debate comes as Rwanda continues to face calls for a review of its minimum wage, which was set in 1974 at RWF100 per day for workers employed by others.
Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has said the minimum wage question requires careful consideration, noting that any increase must take into account employers’ capacity to sustain jobs and avoid unintended job losses.
The government has also been working with contractors involved in public projects to ensure that money allocated for casual workers’ wages is actually paid to the workers.
Kagame’s remarks reinforce the government’s position that workers should be paid fairly and on time, while employers who violate labour obligations should be held accountable.
